A 37-year-old hiker in California’s Ventana Wilderness died from alcohol withdrawal seizures, highlighting the dangers of suddenly stopping heavy drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism warns that alcohol withdrawal can become life-threatening when someone who has been drinking heavily for an extended period suddenly stops.

Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol changes the way the brain’s chemical signaling systems operate. With prolonged heavy drinking, the nervous system adapts to alcohol’s depressant effects. When alcohol is suddenly removed, that balance can shift sharply toward excessive nervous-system activity, producing tremors, sweating, anxiety, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, and insomnia.

In more serious cases, a person can experience hallucinations, seizures, or delirium tremens. The American Society of Addiction Medicine notes that alcohol withdrawal seizures generally occur within about eight to 48 hours after a person stops or substantially reduces alcohol consumption, with the greatest risk around the first day.

Seeking Medical Help

For people who are physically dependent on alcohol, the safest way to stop drinking may involve medical supervision rather than attempting to quit alone. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism advises people who have been drinking heavily for a prolonged period to seek medical help when planning to stop. Doctors can determine the appropriate level of care and may prescribe medication to make withdrawal safer.

Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.